Auto trans stumper

Not an A-body, but close enough:
my '93 Dakota (5.2, automatic that's been replaced a billion times, I think it's an A-518 ) started making a brief grinding noise when putting it into gear, either from D to R or vice versa, and occasionally hitting the N in between. It sounds a LOT like bumping the starter with the engine running. From underneath, you can even hear something winding down after the grinding like a pinion gear does.

Initially I thought the shifter mechanism was shorting wiring in the column because it has a slight mechanical resistance when it initiates the grinding. I can't get it to hold the grinding, only bump it.
I checked all the wiring, and it was all good. Had the wife sit in it and shift and followed it under the hood and down to the trans, and eventually disconnected the linkage at the trans. Worked the lever to put it in gear and it still does it. Reconnected the linkage and it only happened once. I tried to put my hand on the starter and then the trans to isolate the noise but it only happened with my hand on the trans pan and it sure felt like it was in the trans, but that could be the same with the starter bumping too.

I'm wondering if a crapped neutral safety switch could cause the starter to bump somehow but I don't think so. But, my knowledge of all things automatics is a little limited (yeah, like hurricanes are "windy"). I'm also wondering if a servo is sluggish causing it to try to hit two gears or reverse and first at the same time or something, but since I don't think the mopar transmissions have any mechanical gears engaging or any of that, I doubt it.

Thoughts? Ideas? Free parts?
Thank you FABO
John